What human biscuits can dogs eat? Can you share your biscuit treats with your Westie?
If you have a Westie bestie of your own, then you probably want to do everything with them.
You may want to cuddle up on the couch to watch TV together, share your bed with them at night, and even try to share some of your food with them. How could you resist when they are just so cute?
But what about biscuits? Can your Westie eat human biscuits? Which biscuits are okay for them to eat? That’s what we’re going to talk about in this guide!
Can Dogs Eat Human Biscuits?
Biscuits are typically safe for dogs to eat, but some human biscuits can contain ingredients that are unsafe for dogs.
For instance, biscuits with chocolate or xylitol can be toxic and poisonous for dogs, so they are unsafe for them to eat.
>> What Can Westies Not Eat? Common Foods To Avoid
In general, biscuits can be a good source of energy as they are carbohydrates, so this can stave off hunger for your Westie, and also give them the energy they need to go on long walks and adventures.
Some biscuits can even have essential vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin A, iron, and vitamin B12, which can be beneficial for your pooch.
That being said, biscuits intended for human consumption can have a lot of sugar and artificial sweeteners.
In addition, they may contain ingredients that are unsuitable for dogs, such as chocolate, excess butter, and raisins.
Therefore, we would recommend that you do not give your Westie or any dog biscuits that are made for human consumption. They will be far better off with dog-friendly dog biscuits or homemade ones where you can limit unwanted ingredients.
What Happens If A Dog Eats Human Biscuits?
In small amounts, human biscuits are unlikely to cause your dog harm. However, some dogs have wheat allergies and can be sensitive to grains often found in biscuits.
So, grain-free biscuits can be okay in moderation. It is not so much the biscuit itself that is a problem, but the ingredients they could have in them.
Biscuits can have added sugar and ingredients like chocolate – which is toxic to dogs.
If your dog has eaten human biscuits containing such unsafe ingredients, your Westie could become very unwell.
If a dog eats small amounts of unsuitable human food, it can result in sickness, nausea, and diarrhea, whereas if a dog eats a lot of biscuits with ingredients like raisins and chocolates, it can lead to poisoning.
Signs of toxic poisoning in dogs include:
- vomiting
- extreme drooling
- labored breathing
- diarrhea
- convulsions
- abnormal heart rate
- bleeding from the gut
- kidney failure
In those cases, your Westie would need to visit a veterinarian immediately.
Which Biscuits Are Safe For Dogs?
If you want to give your Westie biscuits, then we recommend that you avoid human biscuits altogether, just to be safe.
It is far more beneficial to give your Westie dog biscuits or homemade biscuits as you can avoid unwanted ingredients.
Homemade Biscuits
If you have the time, then we recommend making your own dog biscuits for your Westie.
Homemade dog biscuits can be free of excess sugar, salt and unsafe ingredients for your dog, and they will be freshly made!
The best ingredients to add to your dog biscuits are chicken broth, pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and oats.
Dog & Puppy Biscuits
Instead of human biscuits, try giving your Westie biscuits that are made for dogs.
These will often be beneficial for your dog’s health, and will contain essential vitamins and nutrients to keep them strong and thriving.
Dog biscuits will typically contain natural sugar rather than artificial sugar, so they won’t pose a problem for your Westie’s health.
Dog biscuits can also contain ingredients such as chicken and other proteins, and you can buy gluten-free ones or grain-free ones if your pooch has an allergy.
Dog biscuits are a great training tool as they are tasty and will keep your Westie focused during training sessions. However, they should only be used in moderation.
Peanut Butter Biscuits
Peanut butter is one of the most beloved dog treats. Your Westie will love peanut butter. You can make your own peanut butter biscuits or find dog-friendly alternatives.
Peanut butter biscuits are full of healthy fat, fiber, protein and nutrients to keep your dog healthy.
Just be sure to use dog-friendly peanut butter biscuits, as peanut butter for humans often contains xylitol which is poisonous for dogs.
Chicken Biscuits
You could also opt for chicken flavored dog biscuits. These can be homemade or store-bought.
Chicken dog biscuits are often packed with protein to help your Westie grow and support strong muscles and bones.
Chicken is also a great motivator, and you can use these dog biscuits to practice recall and other commands.
Which Human Biscuits Should Dogs Avoid?
Most human biscuits are not suitable for dogs due to the high sugar content, additives, chocolate, raisins, and other ingredients such as xylitol which can cause severe health problems in dogs.
You should also avoid biscuits and cookies with macadamia nuts, nutmeg and dried fruits.
How To Give Biscuits To Your Dog Safely?
We do have some tips for you to give biscuits to your Westie safely. A biscuit every once in a while should not cause harm, as long as you are aware of what ingredients are in the biscuits.
The first step is to check with your dog’s veterinarian to ensure that it is safe for your Westie to have an occasional biscuit.
Your dog could have a gluten or wheat intolerance, in which case it is not a good idea, so be sure to check if your dog has any food sensitivities first.
If your Westie is cleared, then the second tip is to only ever feed in moderation. Biscuits can contain eggs, flour, and milk, which are not great for your dog and can be heavy on the digestive system.
In addition, biscuits can contain a lot of sugar which is hard for your Westie to digest, and overindulging in these foods can lead to obesity.
As Westies are such small dogs, if they become overweight, it can put pressure on the joints and cause health problems.
As mentioned before, always check the ingredients in the biscuits to ensure that they are not toxic for your dog.
Most human biscuits and cookies are unsuitable for dogs, so we recommend that you opt for either homemade biscuits or buy biscuits designed for dogs.
Finally, biscuits are a once-in-a-while treat. They should not be an alternative to your dog’s dry food or daily kibble.
Final Thoughts
To summarize, most human biscuits are unsuitable for dogs as they can contain excess sugar, a high fat content, and ingredients such as chocolate, raisins or xylitol.
If you have plain human biscuits without these ingredients, then this will not cause harm to your dog in moderation.
That being said, it is far better to give your Westie dog biscuits and homemade dog biscuits as an alternative.
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